Kyle Busch faced a tough weekend at the Straight Talk Wireless 400, as his struggles with the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing (RCR) team continued. Despite past success at Homestead-Miami Speedway—where he earned two wins and five top-five finishes with Joe Gibbs Racing—Busch’s performance under RCR fell short. His best finish at the track since joining the team was 17th in October 2024, raising concerns among fans.
At the start of the season, things looked promising for Busch. He showed flashes of his old dominance at Daytona, Atlanta, and Circuit of the Americas (COTA), where he led until the final laps before Christopher Bell overtook him. However, the Homestead race unraveled quickly. NASCAR suspended his jackman Joseph Moser and tire changer Shiloh Windsor, adding to the team’s ongoing technical troubles. Busch, who started 22nd, struggled to gain ground and finished a disappointing 32nd. His poor showing even frustrated competitors trying to lap him, prompting NASCAR analyst Eric Estepp to ask fans on social media, “Kyle Busch fans fill me in… why is he running 30th?”
Busch blamed the poor performance on the car’s setup but acknowledged his team’s efforts to make improvements throughout the race. “We definitely missed the setup,” Busch admitted post-race, while also appreciating the crew’s adjustments. Despite his measured response, frustrated fans turned their criticism toward RCR. Many argued the team’s decline was holding Busch back, pointing to RCR’s lack of success since the days of Dale Earnhardt and Kevin Harvick. Austin Dillon’s modest five wins over 13 years only fueled the perception that the organization was no longer competitive.
Some fans questioned whether Randall Burnett, Busch’s crew chief since 2023, was the right fit. While the pair earned three wins early in their partnership, their recent performance has been lackluster. Critics suggested that a crew chief change—similar to what improved Bubba Wallace’s form—could help Busch turn things around. Others speculated that Busch’s own abilities were declining or that Austin Dillon’s presence hindered the team’s progress.
Amid the turmoil, Busch stirred speculation with a cryptic social media post hinting at an announcement. Whether it signals a major career move or just another twist in his RCR journey, one thing is clear—fans are growing impatient for Kyle Busch to return to his winning ways.
